Chapter 16: PERCY POV

I knew that she would say no. Now way was she going to marry me; she's young, just sixteen, but I thought maybe, just maybe, there was a slim chance of her saying yes. As I walked away from her, I realized how extreme my proposal was. Embarrassment and rejection swirled inside of me, making me feel heavier and I thought about how messed up I am. She'll be beating herself up by the feeling that she has hurt me and I feel guilty. Of course, guilt has been my friend since all this drama started, so instead, I embrace it with open arms; it's all my fault.

"Percy!" she called after me. I hesitate. To turn or not turn? My body acts before my mind can and I halt for a moment, waiting for her to catch up so she can chew me out for asking her to marry me.

"I'm sorry Percy, I really don't want to upset you. It's just..." she trails off, waving her hand around vaguely. "I'm not ready, Percy. Please don't be upset, I didn't-"

I stop her, placing my finger on her soft, pink lips like she had the day in my mom's apartment. I brush her hair behind her ears, full of love, as I look into the eyes of this girl who owns my heart. She watches me but doesn't say anything.

"I'm the one who should be sorry, Annabeth. I'm a mess up" I said as I smiled at her, a small, sweet smile, specially reserved for her. Her eyes turn sad and I know she's about to cut me off.

"You're no mess up. It's partly my fault, too. If I hadn't overreacted so much." she said, looking ashamed and I pull her close. We stand there, locked in each others arms, the winds caressing us ever so lightly. I kiss her forehead gently and before I can say anything more, she said,

"Don't say anything you will regret later, Percy"

That's a very good point.

"I won't" I said, and I think of visiting a very certain person, whom I never thought I would want to see again. I'm tired of all this. I'm tired of fighting and being at war with my own heart. I just want rest; more than anything. It's time I embrace the war and make peace.
***********

I knock softly on her door.

"Percy?" she asked, surprise evident on her face.

"I'm not going to yell" I said to her and walk into her plush quarters without an invite. I sat down on a comfy sofa and sighed, not having the energy for anything. Aphrodite looks at me with...sympathy? Disappointment? I can't place it because her damn face keeps on shifting into something else each second.

"Love is a war, Percy" she said. Oh joy, another love lecture.

"I know. Believe me, I know."

She frowns at my defeated expression and continues.

"But love isn't always war, Percy. There's peace in it, but only so much peace can be there. You must keep fighting for what you love, soul mate or family. It is a war you cannot abandon; if abandoned, there will be consequences. Pain. Regret. Betrayal."

I sat in silence, absorbing and relating all this to Annabeth. Annabeth. She doesn't know that my life revolves around her; she's my personal Sun, always there even during the darkest nights in our relationship, even when the moon rose in the sky, she was there. We've been together for so long, she's as immortal as the stars to me.

"The grass isn't greener on the other side, it's greener where you water it" she suddenly quotes her husband. I remember the day when Hephaestus warned me to beware love. Heavens, he was right. I raise my head warily, not sure where this is going.

"My husband may not be the best person in relationships, but he has made a very good point. Percy, no one can write your story. You must write your own, no matter the cost. There is a reason why relationship advice doesn't work. Why you can't hire a person to fix your relationship." she said, emphasising the last sentence. Wait... so she wasn't doing all this all along? I've been 'writing' my story all along? Skies, why is this lady so cruel? Why is love so cruel?

"Love is not cruel or kind. In fact, love never is kind but that does not mean it is cruel. Love is neither blind or sighted; love either blinds you or opens your eyes, showing you beautiful things."

Gods, this woman knows love.

"You didn't do anything" I remarked, stupidly.

"Not even a goddess like me can change fate. You must understand the world, Percy."

Like I don't understand it well enough.

"How do I make it right? I'm tired of fighting" I said desperately. She purses her lips tightly and looks at me dead in the eye.

"Percy" she began. "Why was Annabeth reluctant to love you in the first place? Why are you the heir to the throne of Poseidon? Why do you have to marry right now?" she asked and my mouth went dry. I was arrogant for not realizing this earlier, realizing that being a damn god is the problem. But the question is, will I give up immortality for love? I weigh my options carefully and I know what I have to do.

"You see now. You were blinded, Percy. By arrogance, by failing to see the easiest solution to your biggest problem."

I nod, finally understanding everything. Understanding love. Most importantly, understanding sacrifice.

[Wow, we've reached quite far with the story! Nice knowing y'all are enjoying it so far and wow, I have skills? Lol, that's nice to hear :). Well, I guess the story is coming to an end, though :( and I might write a crossover next but first things first! Wrap this story up nice and neat XD. Thanks for the 30+ reviews and 2300+ views! You guys are amazing! So until next week, stay cool.]

GirlItsCalledWierd